Sports Writer

TROY-Troy Post 70 Junior Legion pitcher Justin Sims didn’t need much help against Foley Post 99 Saturday. All the offense Sims needed, Drew Kilpatrick supplied in the first and fifth innings.

Kilpatrick’s RBI singles’ in the first and fifth innings gave Troy a 2-0 lead and three insurance runs in the sixth helped Troy down Foley, 5-1 in a playoff elimination game at Frazier Field.

The win sends Troy to the State tournament, the first time an American Legion team from Troy has ever played its way into the State tournament. Play begins Thursday at AUM College in Montgomery.

"We got Justin ready tonight and he stayed focused and pitched well," Troy head coach Russ Jinright said. "We are just so proud of our guys, they came out and got the runs we needed to win and played good defense, other than the couple of errors in the end."

"I just hope we can stay focused and have a good time next week," Jinright continued. "The banquet starts Wednesday night and we start play Thursday."

Sims allowed just one hit and one walk in the complete game victory. The only run Foley could muster came in the seventh inning on two errors by Troy, but Sims forced a groundout and a flyout to preserve the win. Sims fanned seven during the contest, including striking out the side in the first inning.

Troy left seven baserunners on in the first five innings, including five in scoring position, but Kilpatrick’s timely hits helped Troy secure a 2-0 lead. Jinright wasn’t surprised with Kilpatrick’s big hits and hopes his bat stays hot this week.

"Kilpatrick gave us our first two runs, I think he did a real good job. He has been hitting well all season and I’m looking for him to step up and do the same thing at State."

Sims took a no-hitter into the sixth before Mitcheal Harrison’s single with one out ended the bid. Troy quickly ended any thoughts by Foley of building on the hit, as catcher Chase Clower threw Harrison out at second on a steal attempt and Sims fanned Chad Bryant to end the inning. Sims retired the first nine hitters in a row and faced the minimum through six.

Troy extended its lead to 5-0 in the sixth. Brett Pierce walked with one out and scored on David Doty’s RBI single, his second hit of the night. Doty scored on Wesley Wright’s fielder’s choice and Luke Sanders, who bunted his way on base, came home on Mike Rohe’s throwing error during the same play.

Troy’s opponent and first game will be determined Wednesday. The win runs Troy’s mark to 25-8.